If you’re looking for day trips from Barcelona, let me present Sitges! Sitges is a lovely beach town south of Barcelona, which makes a fantastic day trip to escape the city. Sitges offers a mix of culture, beaches, delicious food and nightlife, so you’re bound to find something you love to do here! While it’s also well worth spending a night or two here to really make the most of it, let’s start off with a one-day Sitges itinerary with the best things to do in Sitges on a day trip from Barcelona. Here’s everything you need to know to plan the perfect day trip from Barcelona to Sitges!
Is Sitges Worth a Day Trip from Barcelona?
Absolutely! I love spending time in Sitges, whether I’m lounging on the beach, wandering the streets in the Old Town or partying the night away. Sitges is definitely worth visiting on a day trip or for longer if you have the time to spare.
If you’re still not convinced, read on to discover what to do in Sitges and why I love it so much!
When is the Best Time to Visit Sitges?
There is no bad time to visit Sitges, but the best time to visit depends on what you want to do while you’re there.
If you want to wander the streets and enjoy the beaches and ambience without crowds, it’s best to come during the week, and avoid events like Carnival and the Sitges Film Festival.
The Cau Ferrat Museum is closed on Mondays, and many restaurants are also closed on Monday and Tuesday, so I’d say that Wednesday to Friday are the best days to visit Sitges for a day trip.
If you want to enjoy the nightlife, then the weekends are obviously busier but have more of a buzz, so you can have a great time in the bars and clubs before taking a night bus back to Barcelona, or spending the night here and enjoying the beach and rest of the town the following day.
There are various events and festivals that take place in Sitges throughout the year, ranging from films and cinema to religious celebrations, Irish music and gay events like Bear Week, so keep an eye on those to either visit for them, or choose another time if you want a quieter visit.
How to get to Sitges from Barcelona?
For me, the best way to get from Barcelona to Sitges is by train. It’s easy as the trains are direct and frequent, taking just over half an hour.
Barcelona to Sitges by Train
The R2 Sud Train line (R2S) runs every 15-20 minutes from Barcelona to Sitges, and takes between 30-40 minutes.
Trains depart from Barcelona Estació de França, stopping at Passeig de Gràcia and Barcelona Sants, before heading towards Sitges. Single tickets cost €5.90, and it’s currently €10.10 for a return train ticket from any of the Barcelona stations to Sitges.
You don’t need to buy tickets online as they are local trains run by Rodalies de Catalunya, so head to the station and buy tickets at the machines in the station. Check the timetable online here before you head to the station.
Make sure you validate your ticket before boarding the train, either at the barriers where you put your ticket in to pass through, or at the machines before you go onto the platform.
If you are travelling around Barcelona and the surrounding areas a lot, you could consider getting a T-Casual or other regular transport ticket to cover 3 zones, which reaches from Barcelona to Sitges. This ticket gives you 10 journeys on the integrated transport network, but if you’re only going to Sitges then staying in Barcelona the rest of the time, it’s cheaper to buy a one-off ticket for the train.
Buses from Barcelona to Sitges
Another alternative is to take the bus from Barcelona to Sitges. The buses are run by a company called Bus Garraf and it takes longer than the train, and is less frequent (varying from every 15 minutes to once per hour depending on the time of day) so I recommend the train instead of the bus, but you can view the timetables here.
On the other hand, if you plan to go from Barcelona Airport to Sitges, the bus is the better option as it goes directly from the airport to Sitges and takes around 30 minutes. If you take the train from Barcelona airport to Sitges you would need to change lines.
How much is a Taxi from Barcelona to Sitges?
You could also get a taxi or an Uber from Barcelona to Sitges, but this is by far the most expensive option. Depending on whereabouts you are in Barcelona, a taxi to Sitges would take around 45 minutes, subject to traffic, and could cost anywhere from €75 – €100 and above.
My Suggested 1 Day Sitges Itinerary
Here’s a suggested itinerary for a perfect day trip from Barcelona to Sitges. Feel free to change things and add in any extras you like!
I’ve created a Google Map with all of the locations mentioned in the itinerary to help you plan your route around Sitges – click here for access
Morning:
8:00 am (approx.) – Depart Barcelona
Take the train from Barcelona Sants, Passeig de Gràcia or Barcelona Estació de França to Sitges – check the timetable for accurate times. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for views of the Mediterranean once you reach the coast.
8:45 am (approx.) – Arrive in Sitges
9:00 am – Breakfast
Head to a local café or bakery for breakfast. There is a Mercadona Supermarket and the Sitges market next to the station (on your right as you exit the station) where you could grab something quick, or there are various options for brunch restaurants in Sitges (read on as we’ll walk through town to get there).
9:30 am – Walk by Sitges’ Modernist Buildings
While Sitges is better known for it’s pretty old town, Modernist architects left their mark here too. There’s no famous architect’s work here like Gaudí’s buildings in Barcelona, but there are a couple of interesting buildings that are worth passing by.
Casa Pere Carreras i Robert on Carrer de Francesc Gumà (the street practically opposite the station) and nearby Casa Manuel Planas on the corner of Carrer de Sant Gaudenci and Carrer de l’Illa de Cuba date from the early 1900s and are both striking in comparison to the older buildings you’ll see later.
9:30 am – Stroll through Sitges to the Beach
Walk down Carrer Jesús to Plaça Cap de la Vila where you will find The Clock House, known as “Casa del Rellotge”, another attractive building in the centre of Sitges.
CINC Food Parlour in the square is a popular place for brunch and lunch if you want something more substantial to eat, and is a great spot for people watching if you get a table outside on the terrace.
Entrepans a bit further along at the top of Carrer Bonaire is another good place to get some food to take away – walk down Carrer Bonaire to the beach and eat with a view!
To your right as you’re looking at the sea, Platja de la Ribera is one of the most popular beaches in Sitges. Take a short walk along the beach to the Monument to Don Facundo Bacardi y Moso, founder of Bacardi rum who emigrated to Cuba from Sitges in the 19th century.
Now you can turn around and get some beautiful views of Church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla, perched up on a rocky outcrop above the beach.
10:30 am – Visit the Church of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla
Walk up to the steps up to this iconic church, keeping an eye out for more sculptures along the way. If you’re interested in sculpture, there is a sculpture trail that you can follow – the route is available to buy at the Tourist Office, see here for more information about the 42 different sculptures around Sitges.
Walk up the first set of steps to the Mermaid sculpture, and if you don’t mind the uneven surface you can walk along the breakwater for more great views of the church, but do watch your step. If the church is open you can go inside for free, but it only seems to be open during mass times.
Go to the right hand side of the church, closest to the sea, for great views and to see the Baluard of Sitges, the bastion which protected Sitges from sea attacks, where you’ll find an old canon which makes for some nice photo opportunities.
11:00 am – Visit the Museu Cau Ferrat
I was pleasantly surprised by this museum, which is actually two adjacent museums combined in one entry ticket (currently €12 standard adult entry).
The first, Museu Cau Ferrat was once the home of artist Santiago Rusiñol, and showcases a vast collection of works in a stunning building. You can spot a painting by Picasso and other modernist artists as well as a collection of wrought iron pieces.
Follow the route next door to the Museu de Maricel which has a stunning collection of art, sculpture and other items like a selection of Egyptian glass. There are some splendid pieces by local Catalan artists featuring scenes from around Sitges. A highlight is the view of the Mediterranean from arched windows.
You could easily spend a couple of hours here!
Lunch:
1 pm – Lunch at a Beachfront Restaurant
There are some excellent restaurants in Sitges, and it’s best to make a reservation for popular places, especially during busy times like the weekend or festivals. Generally, beachfront restaurants are more expensive and not always the best quality, but it’s hard to beat a view of the sea while you eat!
Well-reviewed restaurants on San Sebastian beach include Villa Marina Sitges and Costa Dorada, or you could consider walking around to the port (about a 30-minute walk along the coast) to Can Laury which is famous for its paella.
If you’re on a tighter budget, look for a restaurant in town with a menu del dia set lunch menu. We had a great value lunch at El Pop which had a lunch menu for €16,50.
Afternoon:
2:30 pm – Walk along the Seafront & Relax on the Beach
Spend some time relaxing on the beach. Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, or people watching in the sunshine.
If you prefer to have a stroll after lunch, walk along the seafront in either direction to find your preferred spot. The Passeig Marítim follows the sea from the town along to the Port and beyond so you can go as far or as near as you like.
These are the best beaches in Sitges to look out for:
- Platja de la Ribera is the main beach, right by the town centre, and is great for families.
- Platja de Sant Sebastià has plenty of seafront restaurants, located near the Old Town.
- Balmins Beach is a clothing-optional beach, popular with locals
- Platja d’Aiguadolç on the far side of the marina, is quieter and less crowded.
4:30 pm – Explore the Old Town
Sitges has a lovely old town, where you feel like you’ve been transported back in time as you wander.
The Plaça de l’Ajuntament (Town Hall Square) is a good place to start. As well as the Town Hall, in Plaça de l’Ajuntament you’ll also find the Old Market of Sitges which is now primarily used for hosting events and exhibitions.
Next door is the old fish market that is now home to the Fundació Stämpfli, a modern art museum which was closed for renovations when I visited.
Carrer d’en Bosc, Carrer de la Davallada and Carrer de Sant Joan are some of the prettiest streets in the old town, with cobbled streets and white-washed walls.
Make sure you explore these streets, and stop off at Passatge la Vall for a lovely view of San Sebastian beach. If you look through the view-finder of the film camera sculpture you’ll see the Ermita de San Sebastián church, framed beautifully.
5:30 pm – Shopping or More Beach Time
Sitges is known for its independent boutiques and galleries where you can shop for souvenirs and gifts to take home. You’ll find clothing, jewelry, and artwork throughout the town, especially in the Old Town and along Carrer de les Parellades.
Evening:
7:00 pm – Early Dinner at El Cable or Bar Tomeu
I spent a few days in Sitges and these were the best meals I had during my stay.
El Cable doesn’t take reservations, so you need to be there when it opens at 7pm or expect to wait for a table.
They serve up tapas dishes, with a mix of classics like patatas bravas which an incredible spicy sauce (the best I’ve ever had) and specialities like a pintxo of fillet steak with aubergine salsa (a small tapa served on a slice of baguette), and confit of duck on a potato nest.
Bar Tomeu does take reservations, so if you go for that I’d recommend booking a table to guarantee the time you want.
They have tapas like pumpkin, parmesan and truffle croquettes (delicious) and eggs with potato and ham, as well as dishes from the grill. I had the Argentinian-style skirt steak with chips which was cooked to perfection – order the chimichurri sauce to go with it! I’d also highly recommend the grilled brownie dessert which was incredible.
8:30 pm – Sunset on the Beach (depending on the time of year)
Find a nice spot on the beach to watch the sunset over the Mediterranean. It’s a beautiful way to end your day in Sitges. If you have room after dinner then the Bailey’s ice cream from Gelati Dino was amazing, and walking along the beach away from the town was a more peaceful spot to watch the sun set.
Night:
9 pm – Drink at Parrots
Sitges has a lively nightlife, especially along Carrer Primer de Maig (also known as Carrer del Pecat – Sin Street!). Sitges is famous for its LGBTQ+ friendly atmosphere and has a wide variety of gay bars and clubs, such as Parrots Pub which is a popular bar with an outdoor terrace – perfect for people watching!
10.30 pm – Return to Barcelona
Head back to the train station and take the train back to Barcelona. Trains run until around 10.30pm (check timetables before you leave), so you have flexibility depending on how long you want to stay.
If you want to stay longer in Sitges, there are night buses which can take you back to Barcelona throughout the night (check the Nocturn (nighttime) timetable here), or book a hotel and spend more time in this wonderful place!
Where to Stay in Sitges
If you decide to convert your day trip from Barcelona to Sitges into an overnight stay or weekend trip, I’ve stayed in a couple of lovely hotels in Sitges to test them out for you!
$ – Aldara Sitges
Perfect for solo travellers, this well-appointed hotel is in a great location just 5 minutes walk from the station. It could get a little noisy at the weekend as there are bars and restaurants and a cabaret show opposite, but the hotel is clean and cute, with a small pool on the roof terrace and I had a lovely mid-week stay. >>> Check rates and availability here
$$ – Sercotel Kalma Sitges
This seafront hotel has some of the best views in Sitges, both from the rooftop terrace and pool, and from some of the rooms. I booked a Superior Double Room with Balcony and Sea View and it certainly delivered! The location was fantastic, just a few minutes walk from bars and restaurants and the old town, and you couldn’t get any closer to the beach. >>> Check rates and availability here
Other Hotels in Sitges You Might Like:
URH Sitges Playa
In another fantastic location on San Sebastian beach, the sea-view rooms have enviable views of the beach and sea. You’re a short walk from pretty much everywhere in Sitges, and there is an outdoor pool and restaurant on site. >>> Check rates and availability here
Hotel El Xalet
Close to the train station, this unique hotel is housed in an impressive 19th century building, with original features including mosaic floors and stunning stained glass windows. There is an outdoor pool and cocktail bar, and guests love the style and service of the hotel. >>> Check rates and availability here
I hope this article has shown you that Sitges really is worth visiting, and that there are lots of things to do in Sitges to keep you busy for a day trip or a longer stay. If you only come for a day trip to Sitges from Barcelona, then I hope you enjoy it, but try to stay for longer if you can!
If you’d like to explore more of Catalonia, check out these other fabulous day trips from Barcelona.